Jacket BCD not weight integrated

[Chocoholic]

Aloha All. I am looking for a Jacket BCD that is not weight integrated and I am having a hard time. Everything seems to be back inflate/wing and most everything is weight integrated. I am old school and I like to hang at different angles to take pictures so I don't want those weight pockets flaring out or down and messing with me. I also prefer jacket BCD. I have hips and like wearing my weight on an old school weight belt. Any suggestions?

 

[JackD342]

They are out there. Here are the two that Aqualung sells.
Pro
Wave

I even have one of the Pro BCDs in size small that I ordered by mistake. PM me if you are interested, or want me to fix you up with a different size.

 

[Chocoholic]

Thanks for the quick reply, I am currently researching those two online.
It's a Christmas present for myself (and kind of for my husband because then he doesn't have to shop for me if I buy for myself).

 

[diversteve]

I shoot video at odd angles so prefer back-inflate since the bubble is much easier to control than in a jacket (it moves less front/back)

A traditional non weight integrated jacket is the Zeagle Base. The name is inidicative of the price/features.

Their Scout model is a low-cost non-weight integrated back inflate model.

You can also buy the Express Tech Deluxe - a modular soft backplate back-inflate model without any weight system.

www.zeagle.com

For warm water/travel use - I believe the Aqualung Zuma is also available without the weight pocket add on. Back-inflate also.

 

[Chocoholic]

I've changed my mind and I am getting a goPro Hero 7 for myself for Christmas.
Then I will keep researching and get myself a new BCD for my birthday!! Yay. I have been searching for awhile and I am just going to stick with my current BCD and use a weight belt for now.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I also take photos at varying angles and prefer a weightbelt. I had a weight-integrated BC for a couple of years but it had problems with weight pockets falling out and although it was touted as a "tech" BC, the weight of doubles ripped it apart twice.
Nearly twenty years ago I went back to my diving beginnings and switched to a backplate/wing. Not only does it spread the weight more evenly but the stability is something a jacket BC could never achieve. I can go head down or face up without the tank shifting. I can walk on land without the tank pulling itself down to my butt or hitting my legs. There is no way I would ever photograph in a jacket BC again. It's hard enough to hold a camera still without a shifting tank adding to the movement.

 

[Diving Dubai]

I've changed my mind and I am getting a goPro Hero 7 for myself for Christmas.
Then I will keep researching and get myself a new BCD for my birthday!! Yay. I have been searching for awhile and I am just going to stick with my current BCD and use a weight belt for now.

Good choice.

For your future research. I use an Aqualung Axiom for teaching and occasional fun diving. IT does have Integrated weight pockets, but I never use them. Most of my weight goes into my rear trim pockets, and the rest on a conventional weight belt.

It's not a proper back inflate, I'd say by feel that its a hybrid. but I have no issues with trim etc no matter how its rigged. I've used it with a single Al 80 through to a HP 120 steel, even slung a couple of deco cylinders on it to make a dive.

So just an option.

 

[g1138]

You don't have to utilize the weight pockets if you buy a new BC. Better yet, you can load lost-at-sea emergency items in one weight pocket and carry it on a dive and just leave the other at home. You'll free up your normal BC pockets for other things.

 

[Nathan Doty]

I was diving the aqualung rogue, its a back inflate and is integrated, but the weights sit behind you. No dangle, basically above your kidneys. I liked it a lot.

 

[Diesel_Diver]

Sherwood scuba ( Sherwood Silouette)makes one it is designed as a rental unit or scuba school unit.